qq. TRAGIC SHOCKER! Dallas Cowboys Minority Owner Doug Lebda – LendingTree Founder – Killed in Horrifying ATV Crash on Family Farm! At Just 55, His Visionary Legacy Leaves Fans & Biz World in Mourning
Dallas, TX — The Dallas Cowboys organization and the business community are mourning the loss of Doug Lebda, minority owner of the Cowboys and founder and CEO of LendingTree, who tragically passed away over the weekend in a fatal ATV accident on his family farm in North Carolina. He was 55 years old.
LendingTree confirmed Lebda’s passing in an emotional statement on Monday, calling him a visionary who reshaped the financial landscape.
“Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation, and passion transformed the financial services industry, touching the lives of millions of consumers,” the company wrote. “His legacy will continue to guide and inspire us.”
Born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Bucknell University, Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 after struggling to obtain his first mortgage. That challenge inspired him to build adigital platform where lenders compete directly, allowing consumers to secure the best rates and terms — a concept that revolutionized online lending.
LendingTree officially launched online in 1998, went public onNASDAQ in 2000 under the ticker TREE, and became one of the defining financial innovations of the early 21st century.
In 2019, Lebda joined the Dallas Cowboys’ ownership group, acquiring a minority stake in what he called “the most iconic brand in American sports.” For him, the investment represented not just business, but passion and legacy.
“It’s more than a smart investment,”Lebda said at the time. “It’s about being part of something historic — a team that represents excellence, tradition, and the pursuit of greatness.”
Authorities have not released full details surrounding the ATV crash. Tributes have since poured in from across theNFL and financial sectors, honoring Lebda as a pioneer, mentor, and devoted leader who inspired everyone around him.
Doug Lebda’s legacy extends far beyond business success — he will be remembered as avisionary entrepreneur, a beloved member of Cowboys Nation, and a man whose ideas and heart changed millions of lives.
